‘Our work is broad and complex, but at its heart, our purpose is clear'.
We have recently refreshed the ATO’s purpose and vision to ensure that we continue to focus on what matters most. Our purpose is to collect tax so that government can deliver services for the Australian community. While we have a range of functions, our purpose is our most fundamental. We need to deliver on our purpose so government has the means to deliver for the community.
In delivering on our purpose every day, we strive to achieve our vision of an Australia where every taxpayer meets their obligations because:
- complying is easy
- help is tailored
- deliberate non-compliance has consequences.
Our corporate plan for 2025–26 presents a roadmap for delivering on our responsibilities to government and to all Australians, supporting the achievement of our vision for the future. These broad responsibilities as the nation’s principal tax collector are primarily focused on ensuring that all taxpayers – both large and small – meet their obligations.
Our plan also sets out the following 5 enterprise priorities which, through implementation, will further build on our reputation for managing Australia’s tax and superannuation systems in a modern and reliable way:
- Strengthen payment performance and debt collection, delivering tailored support mechanisms that foster on-time payment behaviour, improve compliance and help prevent future debt.
- Enhance counter fraud measures, focusing on support and prevention first, with direct consequences for repeated or deliberate non-compliance.
- Establish Payday Super, making the system fairer and more efficient for businesses and individuals.
- Progress implementation of a digitalised future tax experience for small business, streamlining and simplifying tax operations.
- Implement our response to the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC’s) Capability Review, strengthening our ability to respond to the environment and meet future challenges.
We will also maintain our focus on properly differentiating those taxpayers who may be experiencing vulnerability, from those who are deliberately non-compliant. We are committed to providing support for those who need help with their obligations or when unexpected events make it hard to lodge or pay on time. To this end, we have established a new vulnerability capability to strengthen the way we support people experiencing vulnerability through targeted support options.
This corporate plan outlines the important functions of the Australian Taxation Office listed entity, comprising the work of the ATO, the TPB and the ACNC, including the ACNC Advisory Board. As the Accountable Authority for each of these bodies, I have valued the constructive and collaborative relationship with the Chair of the TPB and the ACNC Commissioner over the last 12 months and look forward to our ongoing commitment to deliver on behalf of the government and the community.
I feel honoured to lead an organisation that not only makes a significant contribution to the community, but also one that has employees who are highly engaged with their agency, supports the inclusivity and diversity of our workforce, and believes strongly in a culture of integrity.
I look forward to another big year.
Rob Heferen
Commissioner of Taxation
Registrar of the Australian Business Register, Australian Business Registry Services, and Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets